In summary, in OVX rats fed with coconut oil, the levels
of CYP7A1 activity, and fecal bile acids excretion
logarithmically increased as the dietary level of taurine
increased, although the plasma cholesterol concentration did
not significantly change by the addition of taurine. Whole
body cholesterol homeostasis is controlled by supply and
removal pathways. Because the experimental diets used in
this study did not contain cholesterol, our results suggest
that taurine changed endogenous sterol metabolism in rats
fed with coconut oil. Further studies are necessary to
elucidate why taurine did not prevent ovarian hormone
deficiency–induced hypercholesterolemia in OVX rats fed
with coconut oil.